A Pig's Ear

Sue and Daisha, public health caseworkers, visit Buddy and Maude Lee, an isolated man and his elderly mother living in a remote mountain range in the rural South. The man warns Sue that she should not bring her intern Daisha, an African-American, to the house because “Ma won’t like that.” Despite the warning, Sue and Daisha both meet with Maude Lee, who is in foul temper and refuses help. When Maude Lee observes Daisha following Sue’s direction, however, she becomes honey sweet. Sue gets Maude Lee to agree to be examined and discovers that diabetes has ravished Maude Lee’s body. Her feet are gangrenous.

Sue insists that Maude Lee go to the hospital. The old woman refuses, exclaiming that she was born and will die on the farm. Daisha offers to go with her. Sue hesitates but agrees to let her go. Maude Lee lights up.

Daisha and Sue help Maude Lee into the car. Sue is pleased with their progress until Buddy takes Sue aside and explains his mother’s motivation.

His mother, Buddy says, was impressed that Sue somehow managed to keep a slave by calling her an intern. His mother now believes, he goes on, that she is the proud new owner of Daisha.

Speechless, Sue gets in the car. She glances back at the content Maude Lee and looks over at Daisha. Daisha returns a knowing smile. They drive off.